The Week in Quotes

November 19-25

PLENTY OF HURT FEELINGS AFTER MARLINS TRADE“I’m upset with how things turned out in Miami. Just like the fans in South Florida, I was lied to on multiple occasions. But I’m putting it behind me and looking forward to moving on with my career.”
—Pitcher Mark Buehrle, in a statement issued through his agent, Jeff Berry, on the deal that sent him out of Miami and to the Blue Jays. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reported that Jose Reyes was also upset about the trade after receiving a verbal promise from the Marlins that he would not be traded. (The SportsXchange)

“Throughout the recruiting process, the Marlins made repeated assurances about their long-term commitment to Mark and his family and their long-term commitment to building a winning tradition of Marlins baseball in the new stadium. At the same time, given the Marlins history, we were all certainly aware of, and voiced concern, about the lack of no-trade protection. This is unquestionably a business, and signing with the Marlins was a calculated risk. Mark held up his end of the bargain; unfortunately, the same can't be said of the Marlins.”
—Buehrle’s agent, Jeff Berry.

“I have not talked to Giancarlo. I know this is an emotional time. I know that he has relationships with these guys.”
—Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest on the backlash after the trade. Giancarlo Stanton voiced his concerns over the deal in an interview with Peter Gammons of MLB.com. (Joe Frisaro, MLB.com)

“I know these guys live together. They are under the spotlight every night. They build a different kind of bond. I'm sure this has been tough for [Stanton].”
—Beinfest“Our feeling was to maybe let the dust settle a little bit. Maybe some of the emotion will go away. And then obviously, we can get to Giancarlo and talk about getting to spring training with some of his new teammates, etc. I hear it. I hear the frustration. I think it's not unexpected. This is an emotional time for everybody.”
—Beinfest

“Speaking for myself, I'm not aware of any assurances. I will tell you, if they came from me, they'd be in writing in a no-trade clause. I don't know. I'm not aware of it. … Generally, with these types of deals, when you're talking about money and with sophistication of agents now today, most everything that is pertinent is in writing.”
—Beinfest, on Rosenthal's report that Reyes and Buehrle were given verbal assurances before signing with Miami that they wouldn't be traded.

“I think it will be a factor. I don't think that we're happy about this, at all. I understand that there may be some disdain in the marketplace. It's not going to be my recommendation that we change our view of no-trade clauses. It is what it is. We will deal with it. I think it will be a factor. We won't know until we get into those negotiations with free agents, or we show over a sustained period of time that we operate in a certain manner. It's definitely not great for the club, and we're going to have to deal with it.”
—Beinfest on the Marlins’ ability to make future signings.“It did a 180 on us, and it just isn't a lot of fun. I'm not real big on asking for patience. This is the major leagues. This is a major-league ballpark, and people expect major-league entertainment for their dollar. I'm not going to say, 'Hey, be patient with us, and let's wait for this guy and this guy to get ready.' Our expectation is we're going to provide major-league entertainment right off the bat. Hopefully, we're going to win a bunch of games. Hopefully, our young players will grow up quickly into the types of players that we're hoping they will be.”
—Beinfest, on Miami’s 69-93 season.

JAYS BRING BACK JOHN GIBBONS“I'm really thrilled, and it's an honor to be back. I never could have guessed this would have happened. Ever since I left five years ago, I've been following the team because I have a lot of friends here that I care about and I'm always rooting for this organization. They gave me my first shot at being a big-league coach and a big-league manager.”
—John Gibbons, on his excitement about his return to Toronto. (Gregor Chisolm, MLB.com)

“From my standpoint, I don't know that there was anybody better in terms of managing a bullpen, connecting with players, connecting with the front office, holding players accountable—really everything you want from a manager. I don't know that there's anybody better to manage a team. I've got more conviction in this hire than any transaction we've made here.”
—Jays’ GM Alex Anthopolous was also ecstatic to announce the Gibbons hiring.

PADRES RE-UP WITH BUD BLACK“Buddy has a keen insight into team dynamics and creates a great environment for the players and coaching staff.”
—Padres general manager Josh Byrnes, on picking up manager Bud Black’s 2014 and 2015 club options. Black has managed the Padres for six years. (Corey Brock, MLB.com)

“He is a gifted leader with a terrific mind for the game and a genuine interest and curiosity related to all areas of our organization.”
—Byrnes

“Now we have to take it a little farther and be the team we want to be. I think the talent is starting to flow through the system. There’s a lot of upside and potential.”
—Black. (Bill Center, UT San Diego)

TWITTER

Dang, I hate when doors jump out at you and you stub ur toe!Ouch! #sonofa….

—Despite missing most of the 2012 season, it would appear that Mariano Rivera is in line for another short-term deal for a handsome chunk of change. (Mark Feinsand, @BloggingBombers, New York Daily News)

THE REST“It looks like they just looted the city. It doesn’t smell right, but as a business person looking at that team, I probably would have been real tempted to do the same thing.”
—Michael Cramer, director of the sports and media program at the University of Texas in Austin and former president of the Texas Rangers baseball team, on the Marlins’ trade with Toronto. (Darrell Preston, Bloomberg)

“Anytime you know somebody is in an accident you want to hear they’re OK and that no one else was hurt. I think we’re all relieved to hear he wasn’t hurt. That’s the bottom line—the fact that no one here was injured. … I don’t think there will be any issues for him coming from this.”
—Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak on third baseman David Freese’s car accident in St. Louis County. Freese crashed his SUV into a tree after avoiding a deer in the road. (Joel Currier and Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

“I was very impressed with the way the Angels welcomed me. I had never been treated like that.”
—Japanese reliever Kyuji Fujikawa, who is coveted by several MLB teams. Fujikawa has been Japan’s top closer for six years. (Mike DiGiovanna, Los Angeles Times)

“I had talked to many clubs, I had a lot of calls. There was some curiosity if you will, but I didn't have anyone say they would take him, otherwise it wouldn't have gotten to this point.”
—Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik, on the release of Chone Figgins. (Geoff Baker, The Seattle Times)